Justin Bieber is close to finalizing a deal with Hipgnosis Songs Capital that could be worth an estimated $200 million.
This would be the largest music-rights acquisition in the company’s history, covering Bieber’s entire music catalog, which includes the singer’s six albums, singles, and collaborations over the past decade.
If the deal goes through, it would follow Hipgnosis’ purchase of Justin Timberlake’s catalog for $100 million earlier this year.
Justin Bieber has criticized H&M for selling unauthorized merchandise featuring his name and likeness. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 28-year-old pop star said he was not OK with the sale of any such items.
Bieber expressed that he is on board with selling the rights to his music, but does not approve of any unauthorized merchandising.
“I DIDN’T APPROVE ANY OF THE MERCH COLLECTION THAT THEY PUT UP AT H&M .. all without my permission and approval,” Bieber wrote on his Instagram Stories. “SMH I WOULDN’T BUY IT IF I WERE YOU.”
“The H&M MERCH THEY MADE OF ME IS TRASH AND I DIDN’T APPROVE IT DON’T BUY IT,” he added, telling fans not to buy any of H&M’s Bieber-clad pieces.
H&M has removed merchandise themed after Justin Bieber from their U.S. website, following a backlash from fans on Twitter.
The items, which included sweatshirts that read “World Tour” and a phone case featuring lyrics from Bieber’s song “Ghost,” received criticism for being released without the artist’s approval.
In response, H&M maintained that they followed the “proper approval procedures” for the merchandise.
“As with all other licensed products and partnerships, H&M followed proper approval procedures,” a rep for the retailer told the outlet.